Once again we take a look at one of the grand old churches in the city core. This one like Immaculate Conception, and St. Claire’s, were the victim’s of the Bishop’s “Great Church Purge of ’02™”
Back in 2002, the Bishop of London, passed down word that some of Windsor’s oldest and most historic churches were to be closed. St. Claire’s at Tecumseh & Victoria was slated to be demolished, and condos to rise on the site.
Luckily, Windsor’s various ethnic communities stepped forward and did more for historic preservation in Windsor in a matter of months, than the Catholic Church has done in this city in 30+ years.
St. Claire’s found a new life as St. Peter’s Maronite Church
Immaculate Conception became The Holy Family Iraqi Chaldean Church
Sacred Heart (above) was saved and became St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church
Without these groups stepping forward seven years ago, there is a real chance none of these churches would remain.
From the Border Cities Star – November 16, 1927:
Handsome New Catholic Church Nears Completion
Above is shown Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, now nearing completion at Ottawa Street and Benjamin Avenue. The Building is of Romanesque Style and will be the second large Catholic Church added to Windsor within a year. The other being Our Lady of Prompt Succor, which faces Wilson Park on McEwan Avenue.
The church, with rectory attached will cost $175,000.
Rev. Fr. D.L. Brisson is the rector of the parish. Assisting him are Rev. Fr. W.E. Dillon and Rev. Fr. W. Morneau.
Interesting to note that both churches mentioned in the 1927 article Sacred Heart (now St. Mary & St. Moses) and Our Lady of Prompt Succor (now Holy Name of Mary), were both designed by John Boyde of the firm Pennington & Boyde.
As a side note if there are any readers out there who are members at St. Mary & St. Moses or the Holy Family, please contact me, I’d love to see the inside of these beauties.
Built in 1929, the house at 2177 Victoria Avenue was originally numbered 1545 Victoria, pre…
Crescent Lanes first opened on Ottawa Street in 1944 at 1055 Ottawa Street, opposite Lanspeary…
Above is a photo of the home of Mr & Mrs Oswald Janisse, located at…
in 1917 two Greek brothers Gus & Harry Lukos purchased a one story building on…
Photo from Google Streetview A long time reader sent me an email the other week…
An unremarkable end to a part of Windsor's history. The large vacant house at 841…
View Comments
Sacred Heart is a beauty on the inside. I used to go there when I was in grade7-9. I believe the main isle is the longest in the city! My parents were married there in the late 1960's.
Glad to see that there are some in the community who believe that architecture and history has a place in this city. Unlike the Diocese of London (and the pope) who only believe in the bottom line....money.
I used to live at Giles and Marion for 9 years and this church was my world view from my front window for that time. If it gets torn down it will be a huge loss for a neighbourhood that is sadly in a state of decline already.
Ken, it may be in a state of limited funds, but I firmly believe these structures are in better shape in the hands of the congregations that own them today than they were under the diocese.
When Immaculate Conception was bought the first thing that happened was the outside brick was cleaned of nearly a century of grime. St. Peter's has already paid off their mortgage...
Never doubt the power of a small, loyal group of owners.
I have to agree with you Andrew.
I got an email from a reader who passed along this news about SOS-EGLISES who fought to save the county churches in St. Joachim and Stoney Point:
What is the status of Holy Name of Mary Church on McEwan?
Steve, pretty darn good. When the Diocese does close Assumption it is stated that the parish will move to Holy Name of Mary. So far the parish of Assumption is fighting the closure of their parish the oldest parish west of Montreal.
I am a member of the St. Mary and St. Moses coptic orthodox church. If you would like to visit and see the inside the best time would be on Sunday at 8am-2pm or Saturday night around 7pm. If neither of those times work email me.
Believe it or not, the Diocese of London does care. All of the above parishes could not pay the bills to keep lights on and heat - major construction on the ropof of the former St. Clair's was needed. I can't believe that you are all so naive - to keep a chuch building open you need people - if you wanted these buildings to remain open - then maybe you should have gone to Mass in them.
St. Martin de Porres was packed at Sunday masses. So was Christ the King. They were both also reasonably "wealthy" parishes - so money wasn't a problem either. Not all churches faded away owing the poor attendance at mass, like St. Clare.